Daily International Pharma Alert

Spanish drug company Laboratorios Almirall has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a portfolio of eight products from UK-based Shire for $213 million.

The portfolio consists of two dermatology products and treatments for pain, gastrointestinal and inflammatory diseases, which together generated sales in 2006 of $53.8 million, Almirall said.

Almirall will acquire Solaraze (diclofenac sodium 3 percent gel) for actinic keratosis, Vaniqa (11.5 percent eflornithine) for facial hirsutism, Lodine (etodolac) for rheumatoid arthritis, Colazide (balsalazide disodium) for ulcerative colitis, Cebutid (flurbiprofen) for rheumatoid arthritis, Meptid (meptazinol) for pain, muscle relaxant Robaxin (methocarbamol) and Mintec (peppermint oil BP) for irritable bowel syndrome.